Ironing machine cabinet



Oct. 12, 1943. D. A. LUNDY I IRONING MACHINE CABINET 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 25, 1958 INVENTOR. Dali/ Xi 0% ATTORNEYS.

BY I 4:

Oct 12, 1943. D, A, LUND 2,331,789

IRONING MACHINE CABINET Filed Nov. 25, 1938 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 u UH INVENTOR. flax (3d 57". [Jan/ 1y ATTORNEYS- I Oct. 12, 1943. D. A. LUNDY 2,331,739

IRONING MACHINE CABINET Filed Nov. 25, 1958 l-l Sheets-Sheet 3 BY f Oct. 12, 1943. D. A. LUNDY 2,331,789

IRONING MAcHIfiE CABINET Filed Nov. 25, 1958 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

am -M ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 12, 1943. '0. A. LUNDY IRONING MACHINE CABINET 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 25, 1938 $29,142.

I I I I I I I I I I I m I I I I I I I I I I I I I .I

INVENTOR. Baa/dd v i. .ZiLfZ ATTORNEYS. 1

Oct. 12, 1943. D, A, LUNDY 2,331,789

IRONING MACHINE CABINET Filed Nov. 25, 1958 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 III/I '1L l\ INVENTOR 'L w J Emma a l. Zwncfy 234 BY fin/W ATTORNEYS. 1

Oct. 12, 1943. D. A. LUNDY 2,331,789

IRONING MACHINE CABINET INVENT OR.

.Dzzz vkz Zia/294 .7

ATTORNEYS. 1

Oct. 12, 1943. D. A. LUNDY IRONING MACHINE CABINET 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Nov. 25, 1958 INVENT OR. fiamd 0 Zzwzgfy a'ZzZl/W ATTORNEYS. 1

Oct. 12, 1943. D. A. LUNDY 2,331,789

IRONING MACHINE CABINET Filed Nov. 25, 1958 ll Sheets-Sheet ll I NVENT OR.

ATTORNEYS. j

' Patented ct; 12, E943 in I memo MAC 'David a. Lundy, Riverside,. Application November 25, 1938, Serial No. 242,242

34 Claims.

This invention relates to ironing machines,-

- and has to do with ironing machines of the table top type, in which the ironing members and associated parts are disposed within an enclosing structure, when not in use, which structure then provides a top available for use as a table or for analogous purposes.

My invention is directedto-an ironing machine of the character stated in which closure members of the enclosing structure also function to support the ironing instrumentalities and certain of such members are disposed in cooperating relation to the ironing members for supporting articles being ironed and articles which have been or are to be ironed, during the ironing operatibn; providing means whereby the closure membersmay be moved to full open operative positions, for cooperation with the ironing members, with expedition and facility, and are adequately supported in such positions; so relating the closure members that certain thereof may be moved into open positions independently of the other closure members, w'here desired, leaving the front of the enclosing structure unobstructed and rendering the structure available for use as a writing desk or table; the provision of means yieldingly urging the ironing members into exposed position for use and controlling movement thereof into the enclosing structure, in conjunction with means for locking the ironing members in position within the enclosing structure and means actuated by opening of one of theolosure members for releasing the ironing members,

the latter means preferably also limiting opening movement of the associated closure member; and the provision of means for raising the ironing members into position exposed for use and prises end members, a top cover, and doors for closing the front of the structure. The 'doors, when closed, fit into appropriate recesses formed in the end members, covering the upper portions thereof and being flush with the lower portions and the outer faces of the end members and disposed beneath the forward portion of the cover. The. structure as a whole then presents aneat and attractive appearance and presents a minimum number of cracks when viewed from in front; The bed plate which carries the ironing means, is pivoted to'the end members and serves an) as bracing means therefor, in the nature of a connecting rod, efiective for main:

taining the rearward portions .of the end members in proper spaced relation to one another. If desired, the upper rearward portions of the end member Ice-connected together'by a spacing rod, providing a rigid brace, upon which the bed plate may be pivoted. The position of the pivotal axis of the bed plate may, of course, be varied to accommodate the particular iron ing means. The bed'plate, or the spacing rod, connecting the rearward upper portion of the end members, cooperates with a brace connecting the forward upper portions of the end members, for securing the latter in spacedparallel relation. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawingsz. Figure 1 is a front view of an ironing machine embodying my invention, with the ironing members disposed within the enclosing structure an the closure members of the latter in closed positions;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine of Figure 1, on a reduced scale, with the ironing members raised into position available for-use and the closure members of the enclosing structure in open positions disposed for cooperation with the ironing members; Figure 3 is a front viewof the machine conditioned for usein ironing, as in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 1, certain parts being shown in elevation and the channel member at the upper front portion of the enclosing structure being sectioned in a plane adjacent the lefthand end of the machine, the head of the machine, including the ironing members and associated parts, being in lowered position;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the head of the machine in raised position with the ironing members exposed available for use;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 2, with the cover in full open position;

Figure 7 is. a view similar to Figure 6, with the cover moving in opening direction andiapproaching its full open position;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 74 but with the cover moving in closing direction and in a position a short distance from its full open position; l

- Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon line 9-9 of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on line Ill-l0 of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on line H--H of Figure 2,.on an enlarged scale;

tially on line l2'.|2 of Figure 11, certain parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 13 is" a sectional view, on an enlargedscale, through the rlghthand end member of the co enclosing structure, taken substantially on line Figure 12'is a sectional view taken substanl3-|3 of Figure 5, certain parts being shown as and approaching its full closed position;

Figure 17 is a view taken substantially on line of Figure 14, with the cover and the associated end member of the enclosing structure broken away;

Figure 18 -is a fragmentary'vertical sectional view, on 'an enlarged scale, through the upper inner comer portion of the righthand door of the enclosing structure and the adjacent portion of the cover, the latter and the door being in full closed position, the lefthan ddoor being shown fragmentarily and in elevation, certain parts being shown in elevation, this view being taken substantially on line |8--|8 of Figure 19;

Figure 19 is a sectional view taken substantially on line |9 |9 of Figure 18, the righthand door being shown partly broken away and in section;

, Figure 20 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 20-20 of Figure 1, certain parts being shown in elevation and certainother parts being omitted for clearness of illustration; Figure 21 is a fragmentary lengthwise vertical sectional view taken through the front top channel member of the enclosing structure, adjacent the lefthand end'member of such structure, illustrating the cam and associated parts for releasing the lefthand door upon movement of the .ironing means into exposed position available for use;

Figure 22 is a fragmentary front view of the left end portion of the enclosing structure, with the left door in open position at right angles to the adjacent end member;

Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 22, but with the left door in position providing a support for articles being ironed;

Figure 24 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 24- ,-24 of Figure 1, onan enlarged scale, with certain parts shown in plan;

Figure 25 is a fragmentary plan view of the left portion of the machine with the left door in the position of Figure 23 and the ironing members in raised position and exposed available for ironing, showing the relation between.

the ironing members and the left door;

Figure 26 is a left hand view of the ironing machine with the left door in position to provide a support for articles being ironed but at right angles to its position shown in Figure 25; P

Figure 27 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2'|2'| of Figure 26, partly broken away and showing'the brace for the left door in ele-- vation; I

Figure 28 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2828 of Figure 27, the left end member of the enclosed structure being shown partly in section and partly in plan;

Figure 29 is a sectional view taken substantiallyon line 29--29 of Figure 5, on an enlarged scale;

ironing machine embodying my invention;

Figure 31 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3|'3| of Figure 30, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 32 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 32-32 of Figure 30, on an enlarged scale, certain parts being shown in elevation;- Figure 33 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, through the cover and the upper inner portion of the righthand door of the machine of Figure 30, with this door and the cover in closed position, showing the sliding pivot connection between the cover and the door, parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 34 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale and partly broken away, taken substanfor controlling lowering of the bed plate;

. ers g of rubber or other suitable material.

Figure 36 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 3636 of Figure 35, certain parts being shown partly broken away and in section and certain other parts be- The enclosing structure, within which the ironing machine is housed, when'not in use, comprises lefthand and righthand end members 40 and 4|, respectively, conveniently formed of sheet metal, each being cubiform and comparatively thin relatively to its height and width, each end member comprising inner and outer walls as well as front, back, top, and, if desired, bottom walls. Each of the end members 40 and 4| is provided, at its lower end, with a depending apron 42, conveniently formed of sheet metal, and these aprons are connected, at the midpoints thereofv by a sheet metal brace 43 of channel cross section, as will be clear from Figure 4. Aprons 42 house casters f of known type, upon which the machine is mounted, and are provided with corner bump- The parts of the structure so far referred to, as well as other parts to be hereinafter named, may be secured together in any suitable manner, conveniently by welding. Each of the end members is of stepped construction to provide, at the front thereof, a projecting shoulder 44 for a purpose to be described presently, and the upper forward corners of the end members are connected by-a brace 45 of channel cross section, as will be clear from Figures 2, 3, and 4. A bed plate 46 extends between the end members 40 and 4|, this plate being pivoted at its rearward corner to the upper rearward corners of the end members. Refer? ring to Figures 4, 5, and 29, a bearing bracket 41 is suitably secured to each rear corner of said plate 46, conveniently by bolting, this bracket receiving a headed pivot pin 48 which passes .through a bearing collar 49 welded to the inner ward into the position shown in Figure 4, in

which position it provides a closure to the back of the enclosing structure, or it ma be swung upward into the position shown in Figure 5, be-

ing of such width as to extend into proximity to the channel member 45 and to provide a closure for the top of the enclosing structure. The bed plate 46 may be formed of any suitable material andin any suitable manner. Conveniently it is formed of sheet metal and preferably is provided with a bottom wall 52 presenting a substantially continuous and smooth surface to the exterior of the enclosing structure,-When the bed plate is in its lowered position shown in Figure 4.

Bed plate 46 provides mounting means suitable for reception of ironing means of suitable type.

The ironing means illustrated by Way ofexample comprises agear housing h disposed adjacent one end of bed plate 46, a padded iron roll 1 extending from the gear housing above the bed plate toward the other end thereof and terminating adjacent said other end, a shoe 8 cooperating with.

the roll 1', the roll and the shoe constituting the ironing members of the ironing means, and an electric motor and associated means for rotating the roll and imparting relative movement to the roll and the shoe for moving them into and out of cooperating relation. The electric motor may be disposed within the gear housing h or it may be disposed within'the roll r, as is well known in the art, and need not be shown. It will be understood, of course, that suitable means may be provided for controlling operation of the ironing means and, if desired, the ironing means may embody an electric motor disposed exterior of both the roll and the gear housing, such motor conveniently being arranged beneath the bed plate 46. Ironing means of that character are well known in the art and need not be illustrated nor described in greater detail. Briefly, the bed plate 46 provides convenient means for mounting ironing means of any suitable known type for cooperation with the enclosing structure, it being understood that a suitable electric cord or cable (not shown) is provided for connecting the electric motor to a suitable source of supply of electrical energy.

A bracket 55, of approximately Z shape, is suitably secured to each forward corner of bed plate 46 and projects downwardly therefrom, this bracket being provided with a lower forwardly projecting arm 56 which, in the raised position of bed plate 46, extends beneath channel member '45 and cooperates therewith for preventing upward movement of bed plate 46 beyond its position shown in Figure 5. Each bracket 55 is provided with apin 51, projecting outward therefrom through an arcuate slot 58 inthe inner wall of the adjacent end member, this slot being concentric with the pivot about which the bed plate 46 swings. ,In the lowered position of the bed plate, shown in Figure 4, the pins 51 are disposed in rear of and in contact'with the rearward ends of locking bars 59 pivoted at 60 in the end members. In Figiires 4 and the locking bar 59 mounted in endmember 40 is shown, and it will be understood that a similar locking bards mounted in end member 4|. Each locking bar 46, between the walls thereof. Upward movement of the rearward portion of bar 59 is limited by a stop pin 62 secured to theinner wall of the corresponding end member. It will be clear from Figures 4 and 5 that when the bedplate 46 is swung downward, from the position shown in Figure 5 into the position shown in Figure 4, the

rearward. ends of the locking bars 59-aredepressed by the pins 51 which then pass into the rear lower ends of the slots 58, beyond the rearward ends of bars 59, these bars being then re-.-

locking bars are disposed in front of pins 51, in position effective for holding the bed plate 46 in its normal lowered position, shown'in Figure 4. In that position of the bedplate the ironing means, including the ironing members 1 and s and associated parts, are disposed between the endmembers below the top thereof and betweer the front and the back of the end members.

Means is provided for raising the bed plate 46 from its position shown in Figure 4 into its upper position shown in Figure 5. Referring particu-- larly to Figures 4, 5, and 13, a coil tension spring 65 is disposed within each of the end members and has its lower end suitably anchored to a bracket 66 appropriatelysecured in the end member at the lower rearward corner thereof. The upper end of spring 65 is suitably anchored to a pulley block 66 carrying a grooved sheave or pulley 61. A cable is passed beneath pulley 61 and has one end anchored to a pin 69 secured in and projecting inward from a collar l6 secured to the outer and top walls of the end member. The portion of the cable vbetween pin 69 and pulley 61 constitutes one run thereof, and the other run of this cable is led over a grooved pulley H rotatably mounted in a bracket. I2 secured to and depending from the top wall of the end member, the other end of this cable being anchored to pin 51'. It will be seen that the springs 65 are under maximum tension, when bed plate '46 is in its lowered position shown in Figure 4, and serves to swing the bed plate upward and forward into its full raised position shown in Figure 5, when the locking bars 59 are moved into releasing position. Springs 65 may be of such strength as to swing the bed plate 46 into its completely raised position, or they may be of sufiicien't strength to raise the bed plate into a under reduced tension, and upon downwardmovement of the bed plate into the enclosing structure the tension of the springs increases, the latter then being effective for controlling and cushioning movement of the bed plate and the parts carried thereby into the enclosing structure.

Suitable means is provided for releasablyse- 3 curing the bed plate in its raised position. Re-

.59 has its forward end urged downward by a coil tension spring 6i anchored at its upper end to bar 59, forward of pivot 66, the lower end of said ferring to Figures 6 to 10, inclusive, latch members l5 and l5a,are pivotally' mounted in channel member 45, adjacent the ends thereof, each upon a. shouldered screw-pin 16 passing through a hub ll integralwith the latch member. Each of the latch members l5 and 55a projects through spring being suitably anchored to end member described.

to the link-and passing through the forward end of the adjacent-locking bar 58. When the latch members 15 and 15a are in their normal position, shown in Figures 6 and '7, the fingers 8| are in contact with the respective latch members at the lower end of the slot 80. It will be apparent that.

the tension springs 85 are effective, through the locking bars 58 and links 82, for yieldingly resisting outward movement of the latch members I and 15a and urging the latter into normal latching position. 'In that position of the latch members, when the bed plate 46 is swung into its uppermost position, latchmembers l5 and 15a will be moved outward by contact of arms 56 of the brackets 55 with the hook bills 18 and, when arms 56 contact the channel member 45, the latch members 15 and 15a will be returned to normal position, with the hook-bills l8 engaging beneath arms 56 and eil'ective for holding the bed plate 46 raised, the'latch members and channel member 45 then cooperating with arms 56 to lock the bed plate against movement in either. direction about its pivotal axis. Y

An angle release lever 85 is pivotally mounted in channel member 45 at the mid-length thereof,

by means of a shouldered pivot screw 86 passing through a hub 81 integral with lever 85. One arm'of lever 85 is connected, above and below pin 88, to the latch members 15 and 15a, by means of links 88, the latter being connected to the latch members 15 and 15a below the pivot pin 16 thereof, and the connections between links. 88 and the arm of lever 85 being such that latch members 15 and 15a are moved outward, when lever 85 is turned clockwise as viewed in Figure 11. The other arm-88 of lever 85 extends toward the lefthand end of the enclosing structure, between the depending flanges of channel member 45, and is provided, at its underface, with a depending pad 80 of rubber or other suitable material. A coil tension spring 8| is anchored at one end to lever 85 at a point above pin 88, the other end of said pin being suitably anchored to channel member 45, the tension of spring 8| being effective for urging the lever 85 in clockwise or releasing direction. Tension spring 8| is not of sufilcient strength to overcome the tension of springs 55, and serves merely to hold the latch members 15 and 15a in such position that the fingers 8| contact the walls at the lower \ends of the slot 80. By moving arm 88 of lever 85 upward, the latch members I5 and 15a may be swung outward into inoperative position, in opposition to the tension of springs 85, thus releasing the bed plate 46 for downward movement. This outward movement of the latch members 15 and 15a results in raising the forward ends of locking bars 58 and depressing the rearward ends thereof, but that is not objectionable, since the lever 85 is operated but momentarily and then released, the locking bars '58 being returned to operative or looking position before the bed plate held by the locking bars in the manner previously member 4 When the ironing means is disposed within the enclosing structure, as in Figure 4, the top of this structure is closed by a cover 82. This cover may be or any suitable construction but conveniently is formed of sheet metal and is provided, at its underface, with an inwardly projecting peripheral flange 83 of appreciable width. Cover 82 is pivotally connected, at its right rear corner, to the upper rear corner of the righthand end Referring to Figure 6, a headed pivot pin 84 passes through a bracket 85 secured in end member 4| and thence upward through the top wall of this end member and through flange 83 of cover 82 at the rear righthand corner thereof, Pin 84 is reduced in diameter at its upper portion and threaded to provide a screw stud 88 receiving a nut 81, there being a washer 88 disposed between this nut and the upper face of flange 83. That provides convenient means for pivoting the cover 82 to the enclosing structure, in the manner stated, though the cover may be mounted in any other suitable or appropriate manner. The front and back and ends of the cover 82 are rounded and, when in full closed position, the cover seats upon the top 01' end members 40 and 4| with its ends flush with the outer faces of the latter members, its rearward edge flush with the rearward edges of the end members 40 and 4| and its forward portion seating upon and projecting a short distance forwardly or the channel member 45, as will be clear from Figures 1 and 4.

Referring further to Figures 6 to 10, inclusive, the portion of flange 83 at the rear of cover 82 is provided with an inwardly extending projection I00 carrying, at its inner portion, an upwardly and outwardly inclined cam element |0| which overlies a rectangular opening |02 through projection I00. The latter is further provided with a relatively narrow slot |03 extending outward from the rearward portion of opening I02. Latch member 15a is provided with an upwardly .projecting arcuate finger I04 concentric with pivot "pin 16, at the upper end of which finger there is mounted a roller I05 projecting from the finger rearwardly of end member 4|. Finger I04 projects through a slot I06 in the top wall of end member 4|, whenlatch member 15a is in its operative position shown in Figure 6. When cover 82 is in its closed position shown in Figures 1 and 4, at which time the bed plate 46 is in its lowered position, the fiange 83 at the righthand end of cover 82 seats upon the top wall of end member 4| and may contact with roller I05, holding the latch member 15a depressed in the position shown in Figure 8. It-will be understood that, if desired, flange 83 may be provided, at the righthand end of cover 82, with a suitably disposed notch or opening which accommodates the finger I04, in which case the latch member 15a may remain in the position shown in Figure 6 when the cover 82 is in closed position. The provision of such a notch or opening in flange 83, for the purpose stated, is an obvious expedient which need not be illustrated nor described in greater detail. During movement of the cover 82 from closed position to its open position, latch member 15a remains in the position shown in Figure 6 until cover 82 approaches full open position, at which time the inner portion of projection I00 passes beneath ,roller I05. In the continued opening movement of the cover 82, cam element |0| passes beneath roller 05 and forces latch vmember 15a upward in counterclockwise direction about pivot pin 16, as in Figure '7. This upward movement of the latch member 15a imparts similar movement to latch member 15, due to theinterconnection between these latch members previously described, thus moving the locking bars 59 into releasing position End releasing the bed plate 46lfor upward movement. As movement of cover 92 continues in opening direction, cam element I92 passes from beneath roller I05, latch member 15a is returned to its position shown in Figure 6, and finger I04 enters slot I03, in contact with the projection at the outer end of said slot and with roller I95 overlying projection I00, as shown in Figure 6. That limits opening movement of cover 92 and prevents its being turned into position beyond that shown in Figure 2, in which the rear edge of the cover, when in closed position, is flush with the inner face of righthand end member II, the cover seating upon this end member for a suitable portion of its length and projecting therefrom forwardly of the enclosing structure. It will be seen that the means for limiting opening-movement of the cover also serves to release the means for holding the bed plate 46 in lowered position, opening of the cover thus serving to cause movement of the 2 bed plate and the parts carried thereby'into operative position, with the ironing members above the enclosing structure exposed available for use,

' and the cov'er disposed with itslength at right angles to the width of the enclosing structure, adjacent the righthand end of the ironing members, available as a support for articles to be ironed and which have been ironed.

When it is desired to lower the ironing means into the enclosing structure, latch members I5 and 15a are moved into inoperative positions by means of the release lever 85, in the manner previously described, bed plate 45 and the parts carried thereby then swinging downward into the enclosing structure under control of the tension springs 65, in the manner previously described, the locking bars 59 functioning to lock the bed plate in its lowered position. The cover 92 may now be swung into closed position for closing the top of the.enclosing structure and rendering it available for use as a table or for analogous purposes. During closing movement of thecover, cam element IIH contacts roller I05 swinging the latch member 15a clockwise about pivot pin I5 downward into the position shown inFigure 8. Corresponding movement is imparted to the latch member I5.by the interconnection between these latch members. This movement of the latch members. does not affect the locking bars 59, due to the lost motion permitted by the slots 89, so that the bed plate wremains locked in its lowered position. In the continued closing of cover 92, projection I passes out of contact with roller I95 and latch member 7511 is returned to its position shown in Figure 6, in which position it re- KM mains throughout the rest of the closing movement of cover 92, assuming the flange 93 at the righthand end of cover 92 to be provided witha notch or opening which accommodates finger I9 3.

In the event no such opening-is provided, latchmember 1511 will be again depressed, by flange 93,

as the cover is moved into full closed position, but that would not be objectionable since it would not affect the locking bars ,59; for the reasons previously stated. The movements of latch member Ia cause similar movements of latch member I5, due to the connectionbetween the latch members through the angle release lever 85 and the link 88.-

Appropriate means is provided for securing the cover 92 in closed position. Referring to Figures 14 to 17, inclusive, cover. 92 is provided,- at the back and adjacent the lefthand end' thereof, with an inwardly projecting thimble IIB formed integrally with the back wall of the cover. A rod III is slidably mounted through thimble III! and .through the lower end of an angle bracket II2 secured to and depending from the top wall of cover 92. Rod III is urged outward by a coil compression spring II3 mounted about the rod and confined between bracket H2 and a lock collar l I9 secured upon rod III and contacting the inner end of'thimble I I0, for limiting outward movement of the rod. Inner end portion II3a of rod III is fiat and has pin and slot connections II5 to arm H6 of an angle'lever III, pivoted at M8 on a bracket II9 secured to and projecting upward from flange 93 ofcover 92. The otherarm I29 of lever III is provided, at its inner end, with a downwardly projecting I element I2I adapted for operation .in a corre- When cover 92 is in'its full closed position,

slot I22 is aligned with a slot I23 through the top wall of endmemberMi. These aligned slots receive an element I24 of inverted V-shape, projecting from the upper edge of a latch member I25 pivoted at its forward end, at I26, within end member 59 of the enclosing structure. Latch member I25 is yieldingly held in its raised position, shown in Figure 14, in contact with the underface ofthe top wall of end member 40, by a leaf spring I21 secured toa bracket I28of substantially Z-shapein cross section (Figure 27), suitably secured within end member 40. Latch member I25 is providedfat its rearward end, with an upwardly projecting bill or locking ele.-' ment I39 which, in the .closed 'pcsitionof cover 92, extends through registering openings or slots -I3I and I32 in flange 93 and the top wall of end member 40, respectively, thus positively locking the cover closed. In order to release cover 92,

-rod III'is forced inwardly or forwardly, as indicated by the arrow inFigure 15, thus swinging arm I of lever I I1 downward intopontact with element I'M, moving the latch member I into its inoperative position shown in Figure 15, thus releasing the cover and permitting movement thereof 'in opening direction, indicated by the arrow in Figure 15: When the cover has been moved a short distance in such direction, element I2I passes out of contact with element I24 but, at that time, slot I3I is out of register with slot I32 and, thereafter, member I25 is ineffective for locking cover 92 against movement in opening direction. When cover 82 is moved in closing direction, as indicated by'the arrow in Figure ,16, flange 93 at the rearof the covercontacts element I2 and, by camming action therewith, moves latch member I25 into its inoperative position, holding it in that position until. the cover is fully closed, at which time slots I22 and I23 arealigned and slot I3I is in register with slot I32, member I25 being then returned to its position shown in Figure 14, by leaf spring I21,-

and locking the cover closed in the manner above described.

Suitable closure means is provided for the front of the enclosing structure. This means comprises a lefthand door I39 and a righthand,

door I35. These doors, when in closed position,

extend fromthe shoulders 45 of the end memhers I. and II, and underlie the portion ofcover f 32 which projects forwardly beyond channel member 45, in the closed position of cover 32,

' 'screw stud I43 and'bearing against the upper as will be clear-from Figure 4. The righthand door I35 is suitably secured, at its outer end, upon a rod I36 (Figure 1 and Figure 3) mounted 5 .for turning movement in a bracket I31 suitably secured-within the righthand end member 4I, below shoulder 44 thereof, this red extending upward through door I35 and. being mounted, at its upper end;--in an extension I38'of the top wall of member 4I, the top wall of door I35 having an appropriate depression which accommodates the extension or element I36. A torsional coil spring I33 is mounted about rod I36, below bracket I31, one end of this spring being 5 anchored .to the bracket and the other end of this spring being anchored to the rod, in an appropriate manner.- Spring-133 urges the door I35 in opening direction. Door I35 conveniently is of sheet metal construction, is cubiform and is comparatively thin relative to its height and width. This door is provided, in its top wall, with a lengthwise slot I43 (Figure 18) which receives a reduced element I of a pin I42 provided, at its upper end, witha reduced screw ,stud I43 extending through flange 33 at the front of cover 32. A nut I44, threaded upon face of flange 33, cooperates with element I4I for-securing-pin I42 to flange 33, there being a 1 Jam nut I45 screwed upon stud I43 in contact with nut I44. Pin I42 may be secured to flange 33 in any other suitable manner. Preferably, pin I42 is provided with an outwardly projecting flangeI46, at the lower end of element I, the height of the latter being approximately equal to the thickness of the top wall of door I35, and the diameterof element I being equal to the width of slot I43, so that flange I46 holds the cover 32 against upward movement relative to door I35. When cover 32 is swung into open position, door I is alsoswung into open pos tion, due to the sliding pivot connection provide by the pin I42 and slot I43, door I35 extending from end member 4I beneath cover 32 transversely thereof, in the full open position of the cover, thus providing supporting means for the latter supplemental to the end member 42. This assures that the cover, in its full open position, is effectively supported and braced. When cover 32 is returned to closed position, door I35 is also returned to closed position, in which position it 'is held by the cover, the latterbeing locked in full closed position in the manner previously described.

Under certain conditions, to be hereinafter described, it is desirable that the door I35 be capable of being opened independentlyo'f cover 32. For that purpose, I provide means whereby the pin I42 may be released from door I35gwhen desired. Referring to Figures 18 and .19; the top wall of door I35 is provided with a slot I48, extending rearward from the inner end of slot I43 and opening through the inner or back wall of door I35. Slot I46 opens into the upper -end of a slot I43 through the inner or back wall of door I35, such latter slot being of proper size and shape to accommodate the pin I42. Normally, slot I43 isyovered by a plate I53 projecting upward from a downwardly tapering cam member I5I disposed .within door I35, at the inner face of the back wall thereof, this cam member being mounted upon a squared shaft I52 provided, at its rearward end, with a reduced cylindrical element I53 mounted for vrotation in the back wall of door latter arm being connected.

I35. Shaft I52 is further provided, at its outer or forwardend portion, with a. reduced cylindrical element I54 mounted for rotation in an annulus I55 secured within a depression I56 in the outer or front all of door I35. Aknob I51 is suitably secure to the'forward end of shaft I52 for turning the atter. An appropriately formed leaf spring I58 is secured to a bracket I53, secured upon the inner face of the back wall of door I35, and is in contact with the lower portion of cam member I5I. Normally, spring I56 engages about the lower tapered portion or nose of cam member I5I, holding the latter in the position shown in Figure 18, with'plate I53 extending across the slot or opening I43, preventing passage ofpin I42 therethrough. Accordingly, at such time, door I35 will be moved within the cover 32 in the opening and'the closing movement thereof. When it is desired to open door I35 independently of cover 32, cam I5I is turned into the dotted line position shown in Figure 18, at which time the plate I53 is disposed from in front of slot I43, leaving the latter unobstructed forpassage of the pin I42. The door I35 may then be opened independently of the cover 32, as will be obvious. It will be noted that in the dotted line position of cam member I5I, the inner end of spring I56 bears'upon this cam member so as to urge the latter in a clockwise direction, edge I5Ia of cam member I5I then contacting the inner face of the inner end wall of door I35 and limiting turnq ing movement of the cam member. In the full line position of cam member I5I, a projection or shoulder I5Ib thereof contacts the inner face of the inner end wall ofdoor I35 limiting turning movement of the cam member in counterclockwise direction, in which direction the cam member is urged by the spring I53, when in its normal position. That assures that plate I53 will be properly positioned correspondingly to the cam member, ineach position thereof, while preventing-turning of the cam member to an improper extent in either direction. Door I35, when released from cover 32, may be held in open position by any suitable known'means, which need not be illustrated nor described in detail.

Door I34 is constructed similarly to door I35 except that it has no back or inner wall. When in closed position, door I34 extends from shoulder 44 of the lefthan end member 43 to the under face of cover 32, the forward portion of which it underlies. Referring to Figures 22 to 26, inclusive, a hinge plate I6I is secured to the inner face of the outer wall of the lefthand end member 43, within the latter, and is provided at its upper and lower forward corners with a suitably bored boss I62. These bosses receive a pintle rod I63, suitably secured therein, the end portions of which pass through the inner ends of hinge links I64, disposed above the upper boss I62 and below the lower bossI62. End member 43 is prog ided, at its forward outer corner, with slots I65 through which the links I64 project. Onearm-I66 of a U-shaped bale I61 is mounted for turning movement through the, outer ends of links I64, and is confined against relative upward movement therethrough by a stop collar I66 secured upon arm I66, at thelower face of the lower link I64. A bracket I63 -ivoted upon the other arm I13 of bale I61, th per end of this he upper end of arm I63 by a brace "I, one end of which is secured upon the arm I36 at the upper face of the.

upper link I64, efiective forconflning arm I66 2,881,789 against downward movementjrelative to the hinge links. The other end of brace I7! is secured upon sleeve I72 of bracket I89, through which sleeve arm I70 passes, efiective for confining bracket I89 against upward movement relative to arm I79. Downward movement of bracket I59 on arm I70 is prevented by a stop collar I73, secured upon arm I78 in contact with the lower endof a sleeve I74 carried by bracket 189, the latter sleeve being aligned with sleeve I72 and receiving arm I78. Bracket I39 is provided, at its upper end ceives between them'sleeves I77 depending from the inneror rearward edge of the top wall of door I34 and conveniently formed integrally therewith. A pintle rod I78 passes through the aligned sleeves I75, I73. and I77.-the ends of this rod being suitably secured in the sleeves I75. Inthis manner the door I34 is connected to and member 48 for universal movement, being capable of being swung into position extending either forwardly from end member 40 or outwardly from the outer .face thereof, while in parallel relation to the bracket I89, and also capable of movement about pintle rod I78 into position parallel with bracket I68-or into position perpendicular to the bracket,

the upper end of arm I78, at the upper face of'a The door I34, when in closed position, is yieldingly urged outward by appropriate means. A plunger I9I (Figure 20) is slidably mounted through a bracket I92 secured ,to and depending from the top wall of door I34. This ,plunger is provided, at its ner end, with a bumper I93,

formed of rubbe or other suitable material, be-

tween which bumper end bracket I92 is confined a coil compression spring I94, disposed about 10 plunger I9I, this spring being placedunder com- ,with two pairs of sleeves'I75 and I75, which repression by contact of bumper I93 with the forward face of channel member 45, when door I34 is in closed position. An abutment or stop member I95 is secured upon theouter end of plunger I92 and limits movement thereof inward or rearward through the bracket I92. A bell crank lever I97 is pivotally mounted, within channel member 45, upon a pin I98secured in the forward flange of this, channel member.) Lower rm I99 of lever I97 normally is disposed in horizo tal position and extends above the flat upper end of bill I83 of latch member I80, as will be clear from Figures 18 and 20. The other. arm 200 of lever I97extends upward above pin I98 and is cong5 nected at its upperend, y a link 20I, to the up r in which latter'position door I34 is disposed horizontally above the upper ,end of the bracket.

Referring to Figure 20", door I34 is held closed bya latch member I80 pivoted on a pin I8I secured to the inner end wall of door I30. This latch member is urged upward by a leaf spring I82 secured to the front wall of 'door I34, at the inner face thereof, and is provided at its inner end with a bill I83 having an upwardly and outwardly inclined surface, and a flattened or horizontal area at its upper end. Latch member I80 is further provided, at the outer face of bill I83,

with anupwardly projecting lug I84 disposed for engagement in a corresponding slot I85 extending from the lower edge of the forward flangel of channel member 45. It will be noted that, in the closed positionof door I34, bill I83 extendsupward at the rearward or inner face'of the outer flange of channel member 45, confining door I34 against forward ppening movement,

andlug I84 engaging in slot I85 ,conflnes this door against outward lengthwise movement, thus providing means effective for holding the door in closed position. *In order that door I34 may be rotatably mounted throughthe front wall of the door, a knob I89 being suitably secured upon 'the outer end of this stud. 'Cam member I87 is so disposed that byturning theknob I89 inclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 18, the latch member I80 may be moved down into releasing position, thus permitting of door I34 being moved into open position, extending forward from the end member 49.. With the doors I34 and I35 open, the front of the enclosing structure is unobstructed .and it is then available for use as a writing desk, o r.-for analogous purposes, the cover 92 providing a flat surface serving as a table or desk top. Referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that when bed plate 46 is in its lowermost positionj the forward edge thereof is spaced a considerable distance from the front of the enclosing structure, providing ample unobstructed space to permit of a person being seated with comfort at the front of the structure while, using it as a writing table or desk.

end of a cam member 202, pivoted upon a pin 203 secured to the forward flange of channel member 45. Lower arm portion 204 of cam member- 202 is urged downwardly by a leaf, spring 205 bearing on the upper surface of such .lower por- 202 is held in the dotted line position shown in tion, this leaf spring being secured, at its outer end, in a pin 206'which is secured in the outer flange of channel member 45. When the bed plate46 is in its lowered position, cam member Figure 21, by the leaf spring 205, movement of this cam member in a counterclockwise direction being limited by' a stop pin 207 secured in the front flange of channel member 45. Upon movement of the cover 92 into open position, and resulting release and upward movement of the bed plate 46, arm 58 of the lefthand bracket contactsthe lower portion of cam member --204', as the bed plate 48 reaches its full raised position, turning the cam member 202, from its dotted line position shown in Figure 21 clockwise into its full line position shown in that figure. Such movement of the cam member 202 causes turning of the bell crank lever I97 in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 18, thus forcing the latch member I90 downward and releasing the door I34,

.rel'eased manually for opening, a cam member I87 issecured upon the inner end of a stud I88 into open this door being then swung in opening direction by means of the spring pressed plunger II. In that manner, when it is desired to use the machine for ironing purposes, movement of cover 92 into open ppsitionserves to move the door I35 "'sition beneath the cover, serving as erefor, releases the bed plate 48 and permits movement thereof into full raised-position, and also causes door I34 to be released and moved in opening direction. a

When cover 92 has been moved i nto full open .position, the ironing means is exposed available when ironing dresses orotherarticles, areas of the left end wall thereof (when closed) is disposed adjacent the outer wall of end member 43. Door I34 may then. be swung upward from its position B, shown in Figure 22, into horizontal position above the top of bracket I63, as shown in Figure 23. It is supported in the latter position in a suitable manner, conveniently by means of a foldable brace, of known type, comprising-two links 2I3 and 2I I, pivotally connected at 2I2, link to the inner face of the front wall of door I34, and link 2 .being pivoted at its other end, at -2I4a, to a lug iii of bracket I63. This; brace is provided with known means 216 effective to prevent folding upward thereof, when the brace is extended, it being then effective for holding the door I34 in horizontal position. In order to pre-' the door is in closed position).

H3 being pivoted at.2I3 to a bracket 2 secured I position it is supported by the hinged brafce previously referred to. After the door has been thus positioned, it is secured against swinging movement on or with thebale I61, by means of a bolt 223 slidable through keepers 224 secured to the inner face of the front wall of door I34, adjacent the left end wall or flange thereof, (when Bolt 223 is aligned with an opening 225 through the top wall or flange of door I34, which opening is aligned with an opening 226 in the outer wall of. end member 43 and an opening. 221 in bracket I28, when door I34 is in the position shown in Figures 2, 26, 27, and 28. Bolt 223, when projected, extends through the aligned openings 226, 226, and 221 and. effectively locks the door I34in position with its length extending transversely of end member 43, at the -top thereof and projecting outward I therefrom. This door is then available for supvent swinging of the door from out ofvthe position shown in Figure 25, which is its position shown also in Figure 23, a bolt 2" is slidably mounted inkeefiers 2I6 secured to the inner face of the front wall of door I34, adjacent the bottom wall or flange thereof. This bolt operates through an opening 2I3 in the lefthand end wall or flange (when closed) of door I34, which flange is dis-' posed adiacent the outer face of end member 43, when the doorI34 is in its horizontal position shown in Figures 23 and 25. In this position of the door, opening H3 is disposed in alignment I, with an opening 226' in the outer wall of end member 43 and an opening 22I in the bracket I23,

as will be clear from Figure28. Bolt 2" is then projected to extend through the aligned openings 2I3, 223, and -22I, and is effective for locking the door I34 against swinging movement. This will be clear from Figure 28, in which the position of the door shown in Fi'gure25 is indicated in dotted lines, the bolt. 2n being-shown in dotted lines as extending through the openings/referred to.'

when door'I34 is in the position in Figure 25,

porting articles being ironed and projecting beyond the lefthand endof the ironing members, in substantially" the same manner as when the door is disposed as in- Figure 25, except that it is disposed at right angles to its position shown in the latter figure so as to support more satisfactorily, under certain conditions above referred to, articles which might not be supported entirely satisfactorily by the door positioned as in Figure 25. There is. thus a distinct advantage in being able to dispose door I34 in either of two'positions in cooperating relation to the ironing members.

' When it is no longer desired to use the machine for ironing, the door I34 may be lowered into vertical. position, by breaking the brace comprising' the links 2I3 and 2H downward, and then- I35 may also be moved into open position, as

supporting articles being ironed ,and extending V outward beyond the lefthand end of the ironing members, that position of the door being preferable when the articles are of such character as to extend a consi erable distancelengthwise of the machine, as istiriguished from extending a considerable distance from front'to back of the machine In the latter case, it is-preferable to tends transversely of the machine, that is,from front to back thereof. In" order-so to position dispose door' 134 so that the length thereof ex-ir door. I34, 'it is turned, while irr'the position of above. described. him, in cases where the lefthand portion of cover 32 is, for any reason, not available as use for a writing desk; byop ning the righthand door I35 the righthand portion of the cover may be utilized for that purpose. There is thus a distinct advantage in' providing two doors either or both of which maybe opened, as desired to render either the entire area, or a selected portion thereof. of the cover 32 available for use as a writing desk or table and like purpos In the modified form shown in Figures 30 to 34, inclusive, flange 33 of cover 32a is spaced the channel member 46 and the top walls of I34 moving from the position-B of Figure 24 m the direction of the arrow 0 ir'itothe position D, adjacent and paralleito the outer wall of end member 43, with its top wall or flange. adjacent the top of this end member. At that time the.

bracket I63 occupies the position shown in Fig- 1 the doors I34 and'I36, when the latter are closed and the cover is in closed p sition. Conveniently, suitable spacing elements or bosses 233 are struck downward from flange 33 of cover 32a and provide spacing elements for the purpose stated. Flange 33 may be provided with any other suitable downward projections providing spacing elements. It will be understood that certain of the spacing elements are disposed to seat upon the top waliof theflghthand end member 4I, in the full open position of cover 32a, there being a spacing member, in the form of a washer 23I disposed about stud I43 of pin I42, between element MI and flange 93 of the cover, there also being a spacing washer 232 disposed about pivot pin 94 between the top wall of end member and flange 93 of cover 92a. By spacing the cover from the associated elements of the enclosing structure, in the above manner, the total area of contact between the cover and such elements is greatly reduced, resulting in corresponding reduction in frictional resistance to movement of the cover in opening and closing thereof, which I is advantageous in facilitating suchmovement of the cover. In order further to facilitate movement of the cover, the latter is provided, adjacent its lefthand end, with'a transverse strip 233, the end portions of which overlie and are secured to the front and the rear portions of flange 93, the portion of the strip between these flanges being offset downward with its underface flush with the underface of flange 93. A roller 234, preferably rubber covered, is supported for rotation in the upper portion of channel member 45, by means of supporting straps, one of which is shown at 235. Roller 234 projects upward through an opening 236 in the top wall of channel member 45, the forward portion of flange 93 resting upon this roller, when the cover 92a is in closed position. In the opening movement of the cover, strip 233 passes on to roller 234, as the forward portion of flange 93 passes out of contact with the roller, and the rearward portion of flange'93 passes on to roller 234 as strip 233 passes out of contact with the roller. It will be understood that the referred to portions of flange 93, and the strip 233, contact roller 234 in the reverse order, during closing movement of the cover. The roller 234 may project above member 45 an appropriate distance such as to maintain the spacing elements or projection 230 spaced a slight distance above the top wall of the end members and the channel member, thus reducing liability of marring of the structure by the spacing element in the movement of the cover, these spacing elements serving to prevent downward movement of the cover to'an objectionable extent, when it is subjected to downward pressure in its closed position. Under such conditions, the cover is supported by the roller 234 and may readily be moved into open and closed positions with little effort.

In the modified form shown in Figures 35 to 37, a compensating member 238 is eccentrically pivoted, at 239, within each of the end members of the enclosing structure. A cable 240 passes 242, in the movement of bed plate 46. Figure 3'7 shows the opening 244 and the mounting of pulley 24!. A coil tension spring 245 has its upper end anchored'to the other end of cable 240, the lower end of this spring bein anchoredto bracket 66. Cable 240 is suitably secured to member 239, at 246, at an appropriate point of the periphery thereof. When bed plate 46 is in ts full raised position shown in Figure 35, spring 45- is under minimum tension. At that time lever arm X through which the spring acts is of maximum length, and is much greater than lever arm Y through which the weight of the bed plate and the parts carried thereby acts,

the latter lever arm being then of minimum length. It will be understood that the bed plate 46 may be held in raised position by the latch means previously referred to, such means not being shown in Figure for clearness of illustration. Movement of bed plate 46 from its raised position downward into the enclosing structure into its lowered position, indicated by the dot and dash lines, imparts turning movement to the compensation member 238, which turning movement is effective for decreasing the length of the lever arm through which the spring acts, while increasing the length of the lever arm through which the weight of the bed plate 46 and the parts carried thereby acts. It will thus be seen that as the bed plate 46 moves from horizontal position toward vertical position, with the weight thereof becoming decreasingly effective as to the compensating member 238, the

length of the lever arm through which this bed plate 46 and the parts carried thereby, with respect to member 238, and the variation in tension of spring 245, so that the force exerted by this spring and eifective on plate 46 is substantially constant throughout the movement of this plate in either direction. That renders it possible to raise and lower plate 46 with but little effort and guard against objectionable jarring of, and possible injury to, the machine due to violent raising or lowering of the bed plate 46.

The compensating member 238 has been illustrated, for example, as of circular outline. It may be of any other suitable outline depending upon requirements, as will be understood. Conveniently, member 238 is mounted for rotation upon a pin 239 secured in a collar 241 welded or otherwise suitably secured to a wall of the end member within which the compensating member 238 is disposed. The latter member may be mounted in any other suitable manner.

As has been indicated above, and will be understood by those skilled in this art, changes in construction and arrangement of parts of my invention may be resorted to, without departing from the field and scope thereof, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred forms only of my invention have been disclosed.

1. In an ironing machine cabinet, an enclosing structure comprising end members, an ironer support member hinged on said end members, ironing means mounted on said support member, said support member andironing means being movable into a lowered enclosed position within said structure, means for moving said support member and ironing means to a raised exposed operating position, and enclosure means for the front of said structur comprising a door movable from closed vertical position to an open horizontalposition extending endwise from one end 

